I thought more about what MrSmith said and concur that he is correct and that I with regards to masks above was wrong - even in my response to you AppyPappy.
When we implemented sharp lockdowns, the results were seen in 2 weeks and the lockdowns worked — just as MrSmith said they hurt restaurants and coffee shops (but eating out is not the norm in Poland so we have far fewer restaurants).
But MrSmith brought out a point about masks. And on reflection I agree with you - the masks didn’t do anything. My neighbours were strict about masking but still got it - and another friend was not strict about masking but got it. The difference was the interactions with people (lockdown related).
So you guys are right - based on the actual situation here in Warsaw - masks by themselves are not a solution. Lockdowns by themselves are a solution. Masks may help a little bit (unproven) but they aren’t a solution in themselves.
The masks gave people a false sense of security. At the university here, college students will wear the mask religiously but go to parties where they get infected. The focus on masking ended up being harmful. The mask represents obedience, even when you aren’t being obedient about social distancing. Social distancing is why I didn’t get Covid. I stayed away from everyone.